Sen. Lee: Immigration Bill Heading for Passage in Senate

Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah conceded the immigration-reform bill "is likely to pass" the Senate but remains opposed to the measure.

Proponents of the measure "told us that it would be tough but fair, and it's neither," Lee said on "Fox News Sunday."

"It's not tough on those who have broken the law, and it's not fair to those who've been patiently waiting their turn in line to come to this country legally. We all want immigration reform, but this bill is not the right vehicle for getting there," Lee said.

Lee said Congress should heed the advice of the Congressional Budget Office, which said the Gang of Eight package will adversely affect wages and unemployment.

"What's making this contentious…is that the Senate Gang of Eight has insisted on wrapping all of these issues up into one 1,200 page bill," he said. "This is not the right solution."

One of the senators that helped to craft the legislation, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, said Sunday the Gang of Eight bill will garner 70 votes and pass as expected.

During an appearance on “Fox News Sunday,” Graham touted the legislation and said it will improve the U.S. economy and reduce the deficit by $890 billion.

“We have tied border security and legal-immigration reform to green-card status…that’s the only way to do this,” he said. “I’m very proud of this bill.”

Graham said an imminent wave of illegal immigration will be avoided if Congress approves the package.

"I reject the idea of becoming the Mideast or Europe," he said. "America is different than the Mideast and Europe. 'E pluribus unum.' Out of many, one. This is a good solution for our national security, for our economy…. If we do this bill there will be no third wave of illegal immigration."

Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah conceded the immigration-reform bill is likely to pass the Senate but remains opposed to the measure.
Proponents of the measure "told us that it would be tough but fair, and it's neither," Lee said on "Fox News Sunday."
"It's...